What started as a technical exchange quickly revealed something more valuable: new opportunities to connect expertise and build future collaborations.
This was one of the key outcomes of the recent TRIATHLON × FlyECO workshop, hosted by Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), where experts from both Horizon Europe projects came together to exchange knowledge, align technical perspectives, and explore synergies across hydrogen-powered aviation technologies.
Throughout the discussions, participants explored topics ranging from hydrogen storage and conditioning to thermal management, hydrogen combustion, and technology roadmaps. While the projects address different technological challenges, the exchanges highlighted how their expertise can complement one another and create added value through collaboration.
Connecting complementary expertise
One of the key outcomes of the workshop was the recognition that the two projects are highly complementary in their approaches and expertise.
While TRIATHLON focuses on hydrogen storage, conditioning and thermal management for a turboprop – HT-PEMFC powertrain, FlyECO explores the close integration of a SOFC into a turboprop engine. The discussions confirmed that these different perspectives create opportunities for collaboration.
As FlyECO coordinator, Stefanie de Graaf, observed:
“The workshop highlighted the many synergies between our projects and the complementary expertise within our teams. We had very nice, and partially in-depth, technical discussions. I was very happy to see that we ended up with ideas for future collaboration and action items to utilize some synergies between our respective projects.”
Key discussion topics
The workshop focused on several technical areas that are critical to the development of future hydrogen-powered aircraft:
Hydrogen storage and conditioning
Participants explored hydrogen storage and conditioning requirements, discussing how existing knowledge and expertise from TRIATHLON could contribute to FlyECO’s development activities. The discussions indicated that no major roadblocks have been identified so far regarding potential hydrogen storage and conditioning solutions for FlyECO applications. An additional idea that emerged was the development of a nomograph or carpet-plot tool capable of evaluating hydrogen storage and conditioning systems at aircraft level, potentially in combination with integrated power and propulsion systems.
Advanced heat exchanger solutions
Heat exchanger (HEX) technologies represented another important area of exchange. Although both projects employ similar methodologies, they operate under different boundary conditions and application requirements, resulting in distinct technical solutions.
The workshop highlighted opportunities to perform joint cross-validation studies, comparing different heat exchanger technologies and assessing the applicability of TRIATHLON materials and manufacturing approaches within FlyECO use cases, including the potential impact of ceramic-based solutions on FlyECO heat exchanger designs. Likewise, the potential relevance of FlyECO approaches for heat exchangers developed within TRIATHLON as also identified as an area for future exploration.
Hydrogen combustion and steam/H₂O injection
Strong synergies were also identified in hydrogen combustion research. The exchange revealed highly complementary expertise, with TRIATHLON contributing advanced numerical modelling capabilities and FlyECO providing experimental validation activities. Participants discussed opportunities to use each project’s datasets and methodologies for cross-validation purposes, strengthening confidence in modelling approaches and improving the understanding of hydrogen combustion behaviour.
Technology roadmaps and future pathways
Beyond the technical discussions, both projects agreed to strengthen their strategic alignment. An outcome of the workshop was the decision to work towards a joint technology roadmap, combining the respective roadmaps developed within TRIATHLON and FlyECO. This common framework will support the comparison and monitoring of different hydrogen propulsion pathways, including technologies such as HT-PEMFC and SOFC, while helping track future progress across the sector.
From knowledge exchange to collaboration
The workshop discussions went beyond knowledge exchange and helped identify several opportunities for continued collaboration between TRIATHLON and FlyECO. From joint cross-validation activities and roadmap development to future technical exchanges, both projects agreed on a series of follow-up actions that will build on the synergies identified during the workshop.
The workshop also sparked discussions about future joint projects that could help bring the technologies developed within TRIATHLON and FlyECO closer to deployment. While no suitable funding opportunity has been identified yet, both projects are keen to explore future collaboration opportunities through initiatives such as Clean Aviation or FP10.
In doing so, the workshop established a strong foundation for ongoing cooperation and future joint initiatives in hydrogen-powered aviation.
Strengthening the European hydrogen aviation ecosystem
The TRIATHLON × FlyECO workshop highlighted the value of bringing together complementary expertise to address the complex challenges associated with hydrogen-powered aviation. By connecting specialists across hydrogen storage, thermal management, combustion, propulsion, and system integration, the workshop contributed to a more coordinated and collaborative approach to innovation.
Such collaboration is increasingly important as the aviation sector works towards ambitious decarbonisation goals and the deployment of next-generation low-emission aircraft. Reducing aviation emissions will require not only technological innovation, but also stronger connections between projects, disciplines, and research communities. In this respect, the workshop represents a step towards a more connected hydrogen aviation ecosystem. It shows how bringing people, expertise, and ideas together can help move hydrogen-powered aviation forward.
Follow TRIATHLON and FlyECO to stay informed about the next steps of this collaboration and future developments in hydrogen-powered aviation.